Some pups are eager to please and happy to learn, while others are bossy and stubborn. Learn which breeds are at the head of the class—and which ones need lots of patience and treats.
What to know when it's time to train your puppy
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Not every pet owner cares if her pup can take a bow or shake hands, but most of us want our furry friends to learn basic commands. We'd rather have them sit instead of jumping up on visitors and come when we call while they're off-leash at the park, for example.
Luckily, most puppies are eager to please, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) says training can begin when they're about eight weeks old. Some breeds seem easier to train than others, although what's "easy" and what's "hard" are relative, says Mary R. Burch, PhD, an AKC Family Dog Director. Burch, who is also a certified applied animal behaviorist, says labeling a breed "difficult" can imply it's not smart, which isn't the case. Most breeds were simply developed to do certain jobs, like herding or guarding, she explains, so "difficult" doesn't mean "dumb." In fact, many dogs are as smart as a two-year-old human—and that's just one of 30 facts about dogs that will surprise you.
Easiest to train: Border collies
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Bred to be bright and energetic, Border Collies take their name from "collie," a Scottish word for sheepdogs, and from the border region of Scotland, the country where the breed was developed. These agile, intelligent dogs are practically athletes when it comes to herding. According to the AKC, onlookers at one of the first sheepdog trials, held in Wales in 1873, were amazed by the pups' ability to follow hand signals and whistles to gather sheep into pens.
Regardless of breed, training your pup takes time, consistency, and patience (and plenty of treats!), says Rob R. Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. "If you've recently brought home a puppy, start with three core training basics that will teach your puppy how to behave appropriately," he says. He recommends focusing on potty training, commands like "sit" and "stay," and socializing, so your pup gets used to new people and situations and other animals. Check out the ways dogs are smarter than you think.
6 Puppies That Are Easiest (and 6 That Are Hardest) to Train, Source:https://www.rd.com/advice/pets/puppies-easiest-hardest-train/
